Islam Makhachev revealed on social media that he was robbed during a trip to Italy. The theft included his luggage, which contained boots belonging to football star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. His passport was also stolen but was later returned. Makhachev shared the news with fans through his social media channels. No further details about the incident or investigation have been disclosed.
UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev took to social media to reveal he was the victim of a robbery while traveling in Italy, with the incident drawing attention beyond the MMA world due to one unusual item among the stolen goods.
Makhachev, 34, disclosed that thieves made off with his luggage during the trip. Among the belongings inside were boots belonging to Napoli and French national team winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, adding an unexpected football angle to the story. His passport was also taken in the theft, though he later confirmed it had been returned. No details about the circumstances of the incident or any ongoing investigation have been made public.
The Russian fighter enters this off-field episode as one of the sport's most dominant champions. Competing at welterweight and holding a 28-1-0 professional record, Makhachev is the division's reigning champion and sits atop the pound-for-pound rankings. Training out of Eagles MMA, the southpaw has built his reputation on a suffocating all-around game, averaging 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes while posting a striking accuracy of 58 percent — one of the higher marks in the sport — and landing 2.63 significant strikes per minute.
Why it matters
- Makhachev is the current welterweight champion and the top-ranked pound-for-pound fighter, meaning any disruption to his schedule draws immediate scrutiny
- The passport theft raised early concerns about potential travel complications, though its recovery appears to limit any immediate impact
- The incident highlights the public profile Makhachev carries outside the cage, including connections to high-profile figures in global football
